You Like It Darker - Stories by Stephen King →

Collections of short stories are not my favorite type of Stephen King book, but this one was well worth reading. It just reconfirms Stephen King's talents as a writer. Not that that is needed, but to see stories that seem to build on events that would be unlikely material for a larger book become so interesting before being finished is incredible.

King's personal introduction to the twelve stories, in which he states,

'You like it darker? Fine, So do I,'

adds a layer of intimacy to the reading experience. The story delves into the darker side of life metaphorically and literally.

It's as if he's inviting us into his world, which we know is darker than our own.

As the master of this form, his declaration wasn’t needed, but it added value to a great book.

The Tumor by John Grisham

. RSS

THE TUMOR presents a medical fiction story about a patient Paul who is 35 years old and diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Paul’s treatment is shown, and his future looks like it will end soon.

In comparison, the potential of a different reality is shown using medical fiction based on the direction of natural science in a fictional future.

John Grisham says THE TUMOR is the most important book he has ever written. In this short book, he provides readers with a fictional account of how a real, new medical technology could revolutionize the future of medicine by curing with sound.

The book is, of course, not a legal thriller. It is short and well written. If the story offers hope, then it shows that science clearly brings hope and that hope could be considered far more valuable than just offering a well-written legal thriller. Even so, an excellent legal thriller has more value than Grishan wants to admit. Not the best statement, and the book wasn’t that great.

(2 Stars)

Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King →

. RSS

Bazaar of Bad Dreams is a collection of 20 short stories and an introduction; King tells us, “You’d be surprised- at least, I think you would be at how many people ask me why I still write short stories. The reason is simple: writing them makes me happy because I was built to entertain.”

He explains, “Short stories require a kind of acrobatic skill that takes a lot of tiresome practice.”

When King tells you that a novel is more forgiving because your mistakes don’t stick out quite as much, it resonates with you if you have tried to write short stories.

The story themes cover a broad range, and King introduces some of the ideas by talking directly to his “constant reader,” and you are left anxious to explore what he offers.

He summarizes his introduction by saying: “I made them, especially for you………… Feel free to examine them, but please be careful. The best of them have teeth.”

The book does not disappoint.

See more about Stephen King and all the books of his reviewed on this site

Quotes from this Book

“Faith is, by its very definition, belief without proof.”

“Such grave matters as sin and forgiveness should remain between man and God”

“When a long book succeeds, the writer and reader are not just having an affair; they are married.”

“And do come a little closer. I don’t bite. Except . . . we’ve known each other for a very long time, and I suspect you know that’s not entirely true. Is it?”

“Winnie, but I don’t believe in sin.” He smiled. It was a benevolent smile. Also unpleasant: sheep lips, wolf teeth. “That’s fine. But sin believes in you.”